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ISLAMABAD, Nov 12 (APP):Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui on Wednesday stressed the need for the full implementation of Article 140-A of the Constitution to ensure devolution of powers to the grassroots level and safeguard the democratic and economic rights of the people.
Speaking in the National Assembly during debate on the 27th Constitutional Amendment, Dr. Khalid said the proposed amendment could become a source of justice, stability, prosperity, unity, and national defense.
However, he was of the view that the benefits of democracy in Pakistan had yet to reach the common people due to insufficient devolution of power.
“The goal of Pakistan’s prosperity must not be limited to the rulers; it must reflect the well-being of all 250 million Pakistanis,” he said.
Dr. Khalid added that MQM-Pakistan supported the amendment in good faith, believing it would strengthen the country’s defense, stability, security, and democratic institutions.
He warned that whenever democracy takes root at the national level, basic democracy and local governance often fade, depriving citizens of meaningful participation in decision-making.
“Article 140-A was introduced precisely to enable devolution so that people’s fundamental rights and basic needs could be met,” he said.
He clarified that MQM-P had made no personal or political demands, but sought only the implementation of the Supreme Court’s ruling on Article 140-A. “Our call to make ‘140-A Plus’ part of the Constitution is not for ourselves, but for the people,” he emphasized.
The minister urged the government to ensure effective devolution of powers, enforcement of Article 140-A, and genuine public participation in governance so that true democracy could take root across the country.